Hopple



Patented Apr. 28, e 1931 UNITED STATES \VELDON E. ALLEN, F RIDGEVILLE, INDIANA HorrLE Application filed. December 26, 1928. seriarne. 328,582.

The invention relates to means for restraining the movements of stock, such as horses and cows, which attains the desired end without subjecting the animal to serious inconvenience s or liability to injury, and which is hunrane,

light and effective for the purpose intended.

While the drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawing hereto attached, in which v Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hopple embodying the invention as it appears when inverted.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tie portion connecting the leg bands.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the hopple showing the frame pivotally mounted thereon in horizontal section.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawing by like reference characters.

The hopple consists of a strip of spring metal having opposite end portions bent into an approximate U-shape to provide leg bands 1, the intermediate portion 2 forming a tie. A crimp 3 is formed centrally of the tie 2 and receives a pin 4 or analogous fastening. The end portions of the spring metal strip are formed into roll-s 5 which receive loops 6. Other loops 7 are attached to the closed ends of the leg bands 1 upon the outer side thereof. A frame is pivotally mounted upon the tie portion 2 and comprises a loop 8 and a hook 9. The bill portion of the hook 9 is disposed above and overhangs the top of the loop 8. The tie portion 2 passes through the loop 8, with the crimp 3 in contact with the vertical portion of the loop, and receives the pin or fastening 4 which extends through the top and bottom portion of the loop and has its extremities upset to prevent displacement. It is observed that the frame pivots upon the "tieportion2 of the hopple. I

' A strap 10 is supported in the terminal loops '6 and the intermediate loops 7 and 8 and is disposed upon theouter side of the hopple. One end of the strap.10 is provided witha buckle 11 and the opposite end has a series of openings formed therein whereby provision ishad'for adjustable connection of the strap to admit of proper attachment of the hopple to the legs of the animal-to be restricted.

A lining 12 is applied to. the inner side of the leg bands 1 to prevent chafing or injury to the animal to which the hopple may be fitted.

When positioned the hopple is locatedabove the knees of the animal and the open ends of the leg bands are drawn together by means of the strap 10 to snugly embrace the legs and prevent displacement of the hopple. That portion of the strap 10 between the. terminal loops 6 is engaged with thehook 9 of the pivoted frame and in this manner provision is had for conveniently applying and removing the hopple. By having the hopple constructed of a strip of spring metal pro vision is had for a yielding movement of the leg bands thereby preventing fretting of the animal while at the same time restraining its movement in a humane manner. The hopple does not tend to draw the legs of the animal together, but rather holds them apart in natural position without causing discomfort.

Having thus described the invention, I claim j 1. A hopple comprising leg bands and a tie connecting the legbands and formed with a a crimp, a frame pivotally mounted upon the said tie and comprising a loop and a hook and a fastening seated in the crimp of the tie and engaging the top and bottom portions of the loop comprising the pivoted frame.

2. A hopple including spring leg hands, a tie connecting the leg bands, a frame pivotallv mounted upon the tie and comprising a loop and a hook, loops at the outer ends and intermediate the ends of the leg bands, and a strap loosely engaging the several loops.

3. A hopple comprising a strip of spring metal having opposite end portions bent into an approximate U-shape to provide leg bands which are connected by an intermediate portion forming artie having a crimp, I a frame pivotally mounted upon the tie and comprising a loop and a hook, a fastening seated in the crimp of the tie and engaging the top and bottom portions of the loop of the pivoted frame, other loops at the outer ends of the leg bands and intermediate thereof, and a strap loosely engaging the several loops.

LA hopple comprising a strip of spring metal having opposite end portions bent into an approximate U-shape to provide leg bands and an intermediate tie, loops at the free ends of the leg bands, other loops atthe outer side of the closed'ends of the leg bands, a frame mounted upon said tie and including a forwardly disposed hook and a rearwardly disposed loop, and a strap supported in the sev- BT31 loops and detachably engaging the hook of the frame and extending across and closj, ing'the open sides of the leg bands to retain the hopple in place upon the legs of an animal. v r r In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

.VWELDON n- ALLEN. 

